RE: Understanding BLE Module Based Development, BLE Membership & FCC Certification - what i can and cannot do

Kenneth — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:35:21 GMT

Hi,

Unfortunately we don't have any overview of the cost involved by regulatory test houses, you will need to contact for instance Nemko, UL, AT4 Wireless, Dekra, or other test house for a quote depending on where you want to sell your product. I would think that it's not a big difference in cost depending on whether you qualify for FCC, ETSI, or other market, as the test setup and measurements are mostly the same, it's the test limits that are mostly different depending on target market.

You have 3 choices:

1. Use a third party qualified module as listed here:
https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/3rd-Party-Bluetooth-low-energy-Modules

In such case the additional cost involved is the BT SIG qualifiction and listing fees (for each product):
https://www.bluetooth.com/develop-with-bluetooth/qualification-listing/qualification-listing-fees

2. Create a BLE module yourself, qualify the module, and re-use the module in all design:

pros: you only need to qualify radio regulatory fees one time. You can still run different application on the module, as long as the radio protocol is the same (e.g. BLE).
cons: the form factor for the module is locked. the module will be using a metal shield (some additional cost and space).

There still will be cost involved as part of the BT SIG qualifiction and listing fees (for each product):
https://www.bluetooth.com/develop-with-bluetooth/qualification-listing/qualification-listing-fees

You create a new design for each product, in such case there will be cost for regulatory test house and BT SIG certification for each product.

You may also find some useful links here:
http://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/com.nordic.infocenter.gs/dita/gs/certifying.html

Best regards,
Kenneth

RE: Understanding BLE Module Based Development, BLE Membership & FCC Certification - what i can and cannot do

awneil — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 07:29:38 GMT

Note that you can get module which incorporate the nRF5 SoC - so you can have a module with your application inside it.

https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/3rd-Party-Bluetooth-low-energy-Modules

The SoftDevice is supposed to ensure the BLE compliance ...